SUDBURY – After overseeing Sudbury’s Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program the past three years, Janine Dailey resigned this week citing personal reasons.

In a letter to parents this week, Superintendent Anne Wilson announced Dailey’s resignation from her post as METCO director and noted Assistant Superintendent Kim Swain will support students and families participating in the METCO program until Dailey’s successor is hired.

"On behalf of the Sudbury Public Schools, I wish to thank Mrs. Dailey for her contributions to the METCO program and wish her well in future pursuits," Wilson wrote.

Dailey could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Wilson expects the district will begin searching for a new director for the METCO program soon.

Created 41 years ago by urban and suburban districts to provide inner-city students with a high quality education, METCO, which is a state-funded grant program, permits Boston students to attend public schools in several suburban school districts, including Sudbury.

METCO provides students of participating school districts the opportunity to experience the advantages of learning in a diverse setting and improve student performance, Dailey told School Committee members during a presentation in May.

During Dailey’s three-year tenure as director, the district expanded its two-week METCO summer enrichment program by an additional week to meet increased demand. This year, 27 students are enrolled in the program, while last year 23 took part.

The district also increased its after-school program for METCO students from two times a week to four under Dailey’s watch. The after-school program allows students to meet with teachers, do homework and have access to the computer lab.

Jeff Malachowski can be reached at 508-490-7466 or jmalachowski@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmalachowskiMW.